)27, ,
1,(JAf
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.
SABBATH-SCHOOL
Lesson Quarterly
Mountain View, Cal., July, 1909
[Entered as second-class matter October 13, 1904, at the Post-office in
Mountain View, Cal., under the Act of Congress of -
March 3, 18791
No. 57
5 cents'
Lessons on the.
Life of Christ
For Senior Division
Third Quarter, 1909
July to September
Published by
Pacific Press Publishing Association
Mountain View, California
++4++++44++++4444+++++++
The present series of lessons on the "Life of Christ" will
continue in all the divisions until the end of 1910.
The German
Little Friend
has a circulation of over 25,000
copies.
We have eight mission schools in the interior of Africa with a
membership of 387. These schools donated in one quarter, $26.06.
It is an inspiration to think of these black people in Central
Africa, who themselves are living in one of the darkest and most
needy mission fields of the world, giving from their poverty to
carry the light to others.
As an indication of the growth of the Sabbath-school work
in, foreign fields the senior lessons are printed in the following
languages, the figures show the number printed:
German, 10,000; Dutch, 350; Russian, 950; Esthonian, 300;
Lettonian, 350; Polish, 200; Rumanian, 150; Hungarian, 250;
Bohemian, 150; and Spanish. Translations are also made in a
number of other language
-
s, but the number required being so
limited they are not issued in printed form.
"Desire of Ages" is an excellent help in a study of the les-
sons on the Life of Christ. Every family should procure a copy
and study it.
The latest reports give the number of Sabbath-schools in the
world as 3,747. Of these, 1,269 are outside the United States and
Canada. The total membership is 88,843. Of this number, 4,463
are Home Department members.
During the year 1908, the Sabbath-schools contributed 04,-
365.65 to advance the work in mission fields.
++++++++++++++++++++++
Tabular Harmony -of Events in the Life of Christ
Covered in this Quarter's Lessons
The Chronological Order of Events, and Scriptural Harmony is from "Christ in the Gospels," by James P. Cadman.
EVENTS
.
•
PLACE
'
MATT.
MARK
LUKE
JOHN
Leper
healed
Galilee
4.23 ; 8:2, 4
.1:354
.
5
.5:12-16
Jesus heals the paralytic
Capernaum
.9 : '1-8
2 •
1-12
.5:17-26.
Call of Matthew and his feast
9 '' 9-13.
2:13-17.
.5:27-32
Answers to questions about fasting
.9:14-17.
..2:18-22...5:33-39
Jesus comes to Jerusalem; heals infirm man.
Jerusalem
5
-
1-47 . .
Disciples pluck ears of corn on Sabbath
On way to
Galilee.
.12 •
1
,
8
. 2 :23-28.
.
6 :
1-5
Heals man with a withered hand
Judea or Galilee
. . 12:
9-14......3:
1-6....6:
6-11.
Jesus . performs many cures
-
4.24,
25.....3:
7-12.
6 :17-19 .
The twelve apostles chosen
Near Capernaum
.10:
2-4
.3:13-19.
••.6:12-17..:.
Sermon on the Mount
-."
.5:
1-8
6
-
20-49...
Centurion's servant healed.
Capernaum.
8 :
5-13 .
. 7 :
1-10
•
•
Widow's son raised
Near Nain
7
.
11-17
John the Baptist sends messengers to Jesus..
"
.....
. . 11 :
2-19
7.18-35
Jesus din
-
e
-
s with Simon; anointed by woman
Galilee
7
.
36-50
Second circuit through Galilee
8 •
1-3
A demoniac healed
"
12:22-37.
.3:19-30..
11:14, 15, 17-23
Seeking a sign
12:38-45....
11:16, 24.36.
Lord describes disciples or kinsmen
,.
6
. 12 :46-50.....3:31-35.
.8:19-21.
Parable of sower
Near Capernaurn
. 13 :
1-13.....4:
1-25.
.8:
4-18
Parables to the multitudes
,
. 13:24-53 .
.4:26-34.
Jesus stills the tempest
Sea of Galilee .
.8:18, 23-27.
.4:35-41.
.8:22-25
Demoniacs healed: swine destroyed
Gadara
9
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1.•
8:28-34
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...8:26.40....
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Sabbath-School Lessons on the
LIFE OF CHRIST
LESSON I.— In Galilee; the Healing of the Leper and
the Paralytic; Call of Levi; Fasting.
JULY 3, 1909.
LESSON SCRIPTURE:
Mark 1:35 to 2:22.
RELATED SCRIPTURES: Matt. 4:23; 8:2-4; 9:1-17; Luke 4:
42-44; 5:12-39.
LESSON HELPS: "Desire of Ages," ch
.
apters 27, 28.
TIME: Between the first and second Passovers, A.D. 28.
PLACES: In Galilee; in the desert; at Capernaum.
PERSONS:
Jesus and His disciples; the leper; the paralytic;
Levi, also called Matthew; the Pharisees and the people.
Questions.
1.
What did Jesus do the morning after the Sabbath
at Simon's house ? Mark 1 35. Note 1.
2.
Who followed Him ? What did they say to Him ?
Verses 36, 37.
3.
What reply did Jesus make? What did He do?
Verses 38, 39. Note. 2.
HEALING
OF
THE LEPER.
4.
What miracle was wrought by the Saviour in one
of the cities of Galilee ? By what agency was the
miracle wrought ? Verses 40-42. Note 3.
5.
What charge was given by the Saviour to the man
whom He had healed? Verses 43, 44.
6.
What was the result of his not heeding this coun-
sel? Verse 45. Note 4.
7.
How was Jesus received when He returned to
Capernaum ? What did He preach unto the people ?
Mark 2 : 1, 2.
6
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
THE PARALYTIC HEALED.
8.'What case of sickness ' was brought to Him? Be-
cause of the crowd what was necessary in order to bring
the sick man into the presence of the Saviour? Verses 3, 4.
9.
How did Jesus comfort the palsied man ? Verse 5.
10.
How and by whom was He criticized ? What
reply did He make ? Verses 6-9.
11.
How did He show His power to forgive sin ?
Verses 10-12.
THE CALL OF MATTHEW.
12.
Where did Jesus then go ? Whom did He call
as one of His disciples ? Verses 13, 14.
13.
What great lesson did He teach at the feast at
Levi's house? What is our only hope? Verses 15-17.
Note 5.
FASTING.
14.
What question was asked Jesus regarding fasting?
Verse 18.
15.
What reply did He make ? Verses 19, 20. Note 6.
16.
By what parables did Jesus enforce this lesson ?
Verses 21, 22. Note 7.
Notes.
1.
Frequently we are told in the Scriptures that Jesus prayed,
sometimes all night. Surely if He needed to pray, how much more
do we. Jesus loved communion with His Father. If we trusted
self less and knew God better, we would be much more in prayer.
"Satan well knows that all whom he can lead to neglect prayer
and the searching of the Scriptures will be overcome by his at-
tacks."—"Great
Controversy," page 341.
2.
Galilee is the name given to one of the three divisions of
Palestine, the other two being Judea and Samaria. "This is
the district which of all others was the most honored with the
presence of our Saviour. Here He lived entirely until He was
thirty years of age; and although, after the commencement of
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
7
His ministry, He frequently visited other provinces, it was here
that He chiefly resided."—"Popular
and Critical Encyclopedia."
3.
In the account given by Luke, the "beloved physician," it
is stated that this man was " full f leprosy." It was indeed a
desperate case. But Jesus touched him, thus showing His com-
passion and love. He spoke, and the word cleansed the poor,
helpless, afflicted man. Even so will He cleanse the sinner who
will come to Him. "Jesus loves to have us come to Him just as
we are, sinful, helpless, dependent. We may come with all our
weakness, our folly, our sinfulness, and fall at His feet in peni-
tence. It is His glory to encircle us in the arms of His love
and to bind up our wounds, to cleanse us from all impurity."—
"Steps to Christ," page 65.
4.
"Jesus desired the man to present himself to the temple
before any rumors concerning the miracle had reached them [the
priests]. Thus an impartial decision could be secured, and the
restored leper would be permitted to unite once more with his
family and friends."—"Desire
of Ages," page 264.
5.
When on earth Jesus met' with sinners, received sinners,
saved sinners. Our only hope lies hi that which 'the scribes and
Pharisees criticized, that. Jesus still eats and drinks with sinners.
Rev. 3:20.
6.
The Bridegroom soon left His people and is still away.
There is still need of fasting and prayer.
7.
The new, undressed, unshrunk cloth, would by shrinking
tear the old fabric. The wine bottles were made of the skins of
animals. The new bottles, or skins, would expand with the wine.
The old were dry and rigid, and would crack, or break, under the
fermenting wine. This contains a spiritual lesson for all time.
God's message is living. We can not retain the old traditions,
errors, and selfishness, and at the same time receive the new
life from above.
LESSON II.—At the Feast; Healing the Infirm Man.
JULY 10, 1909.
LESSON SCRIPTURE
:
John 5,
LESSON HELPS: "Desire of Ages," chapter 21.
TIME: Probably the second Passover, one year and six months
from the beginning of His ministry. A. D. 29.
PLACE: Jerusalem.
Questions.
1. What occasion brought Jesus to Jerusalem ?
John 5 : 1. Note 1.
8
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
HEALING OF THE INFIRM MAN.
2.
Give an account of the miracle which was wrought
here. What question did Jesus ask the impotent man ?
What was his reply ? What did the Jews tell him to
do ? Verses 2-9.
3.
Relate the conversations which followed as a result
of the healing of this man. Verses 10-15. Note 2.
4.
What did the work of Jesus lead the Jews to do?
Why ? Verse 16.
5.
What reply did Jesus make ? How did His reply
affect the Jews? To what statement did they especially
object? Verses 17, 18. Note 3.
6.
What relationship did He say existed between
Him and the Father? Verses 19, 20.
7.
What had the Father done that the Son might
be honored? Verses 21-23..
8.
What will faith bring to the believer? Verse 24.
9.
How great is the power given to the Son ? Verses
25-29.
A THREEFOLD WITNESS.
10.
Did Jesus work by personal divine power? -Verses
30, 31.
11.
Who bore witness of Him? What testimony did
He bear concerning John? Verses 32-35.
12.
What greater witness had He than John ? Verses
36, 37.
13.
What did He say to the Jews concerning the
Scriptures ? Of what do they testify ? Verse 39.
Note 4.
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
9
14.
Why did the Jews not receive this threefold wit-
ness ? Verses 38, 42, 44. Note 5.
15.
Because of unbelief, what would they not do?
Verses 40, 43.
16.
In their own self-sufficiency what would they do ?
Verse 43 (last part).
17.
By what accepted standard were they condemned?
Verses 45-47.
Notes.
1.
"A feast of the Jews." There is great difference of
opinion as to what feast this was, but many able scholars are
agreed that it was the feast of the Passover, and that a year's
ministry in Galilee lay between this and John 6:4, His third
Passover.
2.
''From the simple Bible account of how Jesus healed the
sick, we may learn something about how to believe in Him for
the forgiveness of sins. Let us turn to the story of the paralytic
at Bethesda. The poor sufferer was helpless•
'
he had not used
his limbs for thirty-eight years. Yet Jesus bade him 'Rise, take
up thy bed and walk.' The sick man might have said, 'Lord,
if Thou wilt make, me whole, I will obey Thy word.' But no,
he believed Christ's word, believed that he was made whole, and
he made the effort at once; he
willed
to walk, and he did walk.
He acted on the word of 'hrist, and God gave the power. He
was made whole.
"In like manner you are a sinner. You can not atone for
your past sins, you can not change your heart and make your-
self holy. But God promises to do all this for you through Christ.
You
believe
that promise. You confess your sins and give your-
self to God. You
will
to serve Him. Just as surely as you do
this God will fulfil His word to you. If you believe the promise,
— believe that you are forgiven and cleansed,— God supplies the
fact; you are made whole, just as Christ.gave the paralytic power
to walk when the man believed that he was healed. It
is
so,
if you believe
it."—"Steps to Christ," pages 61, 62.
3.
It was not because Jesus did not regard the Sabbath that
He was persecuted by the Jews, but because He did not observe
it in the way they did. His course of life condemned their dead
formalism.
4.
Apart from John, Jesus presented an infallible twofold
10
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
witness. His own works which He wrought were confirmed by
the word which the Jews professed to believe. That word was
centuries old, and they knew that Jesus, the man, could not have
altered it. That infallible witness of the Scriptures made His
words an infallible witness, because they were established by the
testimony of the word. Even so must our lives witness with His
word.
5. The reception, discernment, and appreciation of truth do
not come by great worldly education, nor by wisdom nor knowl-
edge. They come because the heart is yielded to God, in harmony
with His truth, delighting to do
Him
honor. The real test as to
whether or not the Jews believed Moses was their attitude toward
Christ. It is always so. Our test of faith is present light and
duty.
LESSON
True Sabbath-Keeping; Working of
Miracles; Apostles Chosen.
JULY 17, 1909.
LESSON SCRIPTURE:
Mark 2:23-28; 3:1-19.
RELATED SCRIPTURES : Luke 6:1-16; Matt. 12:1-21; 10:2-4.
LESSON HELPS: "Desire of Ages," chapters 29, 30.
PLACE: On the way to Galilee. The disciples were chosen
near Capernaum.
Questions.
TRUE SABBATH-KFEPING.
1.
In His journeying on one occasion through what
did Jesus pass? What day was it? What did His
disciples do ? Mark 2: 23.
2.
What criticism did the Pharisees offer? Verse
24. Note 1.
3.
Whose example did Jesus cite in their defense?
Verses 25, 26.
4.
What did He say as to the origin and object of
the Sabbath? Verses 27, 28. ' Note 2.
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON* QUARTERLY
11
WORKING OF MIRACLES.
5.
What did Jesus find on another Sabbath as He
entered a synagogue? Mark 3 : 1. Note 3.
6.
What did His enemies do ? Verse 2.
7.
What did He say to the afflicted man ? Verse 3.
8.
What searching question did He ask the scribes
and Pharisees What did they do ? Verse 4.
9.
How did their hardness of heart affect Jesus ?
What did He do ? What blessing came to the man ?
Verse 5. Note 4.
10.
What did the Pharisees then do ? What did
Jesus do ? What did the people do ? Verses 6-8.
11.
What request did Jesus make of the disciples
Why ? Verses 9, 10.
12.
What did the unclean spirits do ? What did He
charge them ? Verses 11, 12.
- APOSTLES CHOSEN.
13.
What work of special importance did Jesus do in
this tour of Galilee ? To what work were they or-
dained ? What power was given unto them? Verses
13-15.
14.
Name the apostles chosen. Verses 16-19. Note 5.
Notes.
•
1. "Corn" is a common English term for grain. It was
probably a wheat-field through which Jesus and His disciples
were passing. According to the tradition of the Jews the dis-
ciples were thrashing grain, and were therefore guilty of sin.
"Lawful" means according to law. Through claiming that they
did that which was not lawful they were exalting their tradition
to an equality with the law of God.
2. The Sabbath was made
for
man; it is not against him. It
is designed of God to be a blessing, not a hardship or a curse..
12
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
It is neither a burden nor a yoke, but a helpful friend. All this
is pledged in the fact that the Son of Man is Lord of the Sab-
bath. In Him and His gifts can be found only light and love
and blessing.
3.
According to Luke the healing of the man with the with-
ered hand in the synagogue was on "another Sabbath" doubt
less not long after the events recorded in the previous lesson.
4.
Read the parallel scriptures. According to Matthew they
first asked the question, "Is it lawful to
heal
on the Sabbath
day?" Their emphasis was on the fact of the mere work. Jesus
puts the question on the true basis, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath
day to do good, or to do evil, to save life, or to kill?" Then
by an illustration drawn from their own practise, He shows the
emptiness of their zeal. They ,would help a sheep or an ex in
distress, but would suffer a
man
to die. No wonder that the
heart of Jesus was indignant at such inhumanity and disregard
of the true nature of God's service. He did not break the
Sabbath. It is
lawful
always to do well on the Sabbath day.
It was- not a vindictive anger which came to the Master. His
soul was grieved at the hardness of their impenitent hearts.
5.
Simon was surnamed Peter, sometimes called Simeon, and
Cephas. John and James He surnamed Boanerges, meaning "sons
of thunder." Matthew is also called Levi. Simon the Canaanite
is also called Zelotes, or the Zealot. Thaddeus is also called Judas.
LESSON IV.— The. Sermon on the Mount; the
Beatitudes.
JULY 24, 1909.
LESSON SCRIPTURE :
Matt. 5 : 1-16.
RELATED SCRIPTURE :
Luke 6 :20-26.
LESSON HELPS:
"Desire of Ages," chapter 31; "Mount of
Blessing," pages 7-76.
PLACE:
In Galilee, near Capernaum.
Questions.
1.
As the multitude surrounded Jesus where did He
go ? Who came to Him? Matt. 5 : 1.
2.
What did Jesus then do ? Verse 2. Note 1.
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
13
THE BEATITUDES.
3.
Why were the poor in spirit called "blessed"?
Verse 3. Note 2.
4.
What did • Jesus say of those who mourn?
Verse 4.
5.
What did He say of the meek? Verse 5. Note 3.
6.
Who does He say shall be filled? Verse 6. Note 4.
7.
What promise is made to the merciful? Verse 7.
Note 5.
8.
What is the blessed promise to the pure in heart?
Verse 8. Note 6.
9.
What is said of the peacemakers? Verse 9.
Note 7.
.10. Who among the persecuted are blessed? What
promise is given all such ? Verse 10. Note 8.
11.
What further blessing is pronounced upon
-
the
persecuted for His sake? Verse 11. Note 9.
12.
What should they do when persecuted? What .
promise and encouragement are given ? Verse 12.
13.
What does He declare His disciples to be? What
is the condition if the savor be lost? Verse 13. Note 10.
14.
To what else is the church of Christ likened?
Verse 14.
15.
For what purpose is a light used? Verse 15.
16.
What should God's people do? Why? Verse 16.
Note 11.
Notes.
1. " The Sermon on the Mount, though given especially to the
disciples, was spoken in the hearing of the multitude."-"Desire
of Ages," page 298.
Jesus was tempted as all have been to
indulge in idle talk, but He ever resisted all such temptations,
14
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
and when He spoke He
taught
His hearers. The things of God
were paramount in every word and act. What a lesson this should
be to those who are looking for His second coming!
2.
The poor in spirit are the humble, the penitent, the teach-
able. "To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of
a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My word." Isa. 66:2. In
such hearts Christ sets up His throne, and there He dwells. Isa.
57:15.
3.
True meekness comes alone from Christ. "It is the love
p
r
of self that destroys our peace. While self is all alive, we stand
ready continually to guard it from mortification and insult; but
when we are dead, and our life is hid with Christ in God, we
shall not take neglects or slights to heart. We shall be deaf to
reproach, and blind to scorn and insult. . . . The meekness
of Christ, manifested in the home, will make the inmates happy;
it provokes no quarrel, giiTs back no angry answer, but soothes
the irritated temper, and diffuses a gentleness that is felt by
all within its charmed
circle."—"Thoughts from the Mount of
Blessing," pages 30, 31. .•?
4.
Hunger means much. Men have become so overpowered by
it that they have taken human life to relieve it; but thirst is
/even more intense. Men go insane from thirst, and it is nearly
always the case that it is thirst which renders hunger intolerable.
Men can live without food for many days, but they can live only
a short time without water. These characteristics of our physical
needs should teach us the importance of supplying our spiritual
sustenance. Does our body need bread? more than this our souls
need the bread of life. Does the physical man call for water`1
infinitely more do we need God's Spirit, the water of life. But
if we hunger and thirst, the Great Provider will abundantly supply
our need.
5.
We are not to wait to exercise mercy till we are asked; we
are ever to hold this disposition toward our greatest enemies. As
we deal with them who offend us, so God will deal with us. "For
he shall have judgment without mercy, that lath showed no
mercy;. and mercy rejoiceth against judgment." James 2:13.
6.
There is but one thing which hides God's face from us,
and that is sin. Read Isa. 59:1, 2.
7.
It is easy to stir up strife, to cause hard feelings among
brethren; to peddle gossip. But the true Christian will ever work
to heal all differences and alienations between brethren.
8.
Notice that the promise to the persecuted is the sanie as
that to the poor and humble.
9.
"A man whose heart is stayed upon God is just the same
in the hour of his most afflicting trials and most discouraging sur-
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
15
roundings, as when he was in prosperity, when the light and favor
of God seemed to be upon him. His words, his motives, his actions,
may be misrepresented and falsified, but he does not mind it, be-
cause he has greater interests at
stake."—" Thoughts from the
Mount of Blessing," pages 52, 53.
10.
Salt is a preservative, and is so used as a symbol here. So
God's church instead of bringing calamity upon the world, pre-
serves the world. Ten good persons in Sodom would have kept
it from destruction. When France persecuted the
.
Huguenots, she
drove out her best friends. But if the savor, the preserving power
,of the salt of the earth, be lost, both salt and earth will perish.
11.
Jesus is "the light of the world." John 8:12. God's
word is a lamp to our feet, and a light to our path. Ps. 119:105.
That word wrought into the lives of His children through Christ
Jesus makes them the light of the world. How they should prize
the sacred responsibility!
LESSON V.— The Sermon on the Mount (Continued);
Magnifying the Law.
JULY 31, 1909.
LESSON SCRIPTURE
: Matt.
5:17-48.
RELATED SCRIPTURES Luke 6: 27-36; 16:17.
LESSON HELPS: "Desire of Ages," chapter 21; " Mount
of Blessing," pages 77-121.
Questions.
1.
By what poSitive declaration did Jesus show His
harmony with all God's past revelation? What did He
say He would not do ? What was His purpose ? Matt.
5: 17. Compare Isa. 42: 21. Note 1,
2.
By what words does He show the immutability
and perpetuity of the law ? Matt. 5 : 18. Note 2.
3.
How does He express the importance of obeying
and teaching the law of God? Verse 19. Note 3.
4.
In what emphatic way does Jesus show that more
than outward observance of the law is required? Verse
20.
, 16
SABBAT1I-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
5.
How did Jesus magnify the law ? Verses 21, 22.
Note 4.
6.
How should we treat a brother whom we have
offended ? Verses 23, 24.
7.
What is our duty toward one who has something
against us ? Verses 25, 26. Note 5.
8.
How far-reaching 'is the seventh commandment?
Verses 27, 28. Compare Ps. 119 : 96.
9.
What illustration is given of the hatred which
should exist in our hearts against sin ? Verses 29, 30.
Note 6.
10.
What instruction does Jesus give concerning di-
vorce ? Verses 31, 32.
11.
What is said of swearing, or oath taking not re-
quired by proper legal authority ? Verses 33-36. Note 7.
12.
What simple manner of speech becomes the be-
liever ? Verse 37. Note 8.
13.
How did our Lord show that laws necessary in
a civil or earthly kingdom could not bear sway in
individual Christian experience ? Verses 38-42.
14.
What should be the attitude of a Christian to-
ward his enemies? Verses 43, 44.
15.
Why ,should we so treat them ? What does the
Lord do to those who do not serve Him ? Verse 45.
16.
Is there any special reward to those who love only
those who are kind to them? Verses 46, 47.
17.
What high standard is placed before us? Verse 48.
Notes.
1. Taken in its broadest sense, the expression "The law
and the prophets" would include all the Old Testament Scrip-
tures, and must, therefore, include the Ten Commandments,
SABBATII-St1-100L LkSSOI Qt3AllTE1ILY
17
which are the sum of all moral requirements, and by the trans-
gression of which all ceremonial precepts, ordinances, and all
local, civil regulations came into existence. " The prophets"
includes all the Heaven-sent instructions reproving God's peo-
ple for the transgression of the law, and expounding its great
truths, and explaining its exceeding breadth and depth and
height. That Jesus referred to the great moral law is shown
in His reference to two of its commandments. See Matt. 5:
21, 27. He came not to destroy the law, nor the commentary
upon it by the prophets which His Spirit had inspired. 1 Peter
1,:11. He came to " fulfil " the law. The only way a moral
law can be fulfilled is by keeping it to the full. John 15 :10;
Gal. 6:2. This. Jesus did, and then in His love died to meet
its claims, that the righteousness of the law might be ful-
filled in His followers. Rom. 8:4; Titus 2:14. He fulfilled in
part the prophecies. Eternity only can fulfil them all; for
they prophesy of the eternal kingdom of God. William W.
McLane, Ph.D., D.D., well says in the
Homiletic Review
of
October, 1908, "Christ did not come to destroy the law of
the prophets, but to fulfil by obedience both in His own per-
son and in the person of all who believe and obey. . . 7
God in Christ and in His cross fulfils His own law of love
and most graciously compels forgiven men to fulfil the same
law.!)
2. A " jot " (the Hebrew letter
yod,
answering to our letter
i) is the smallest letter of the Hebrew alphabet. A "tittle"
is a distinguishing point of a letter, which serves to distin-
guish one letter from another, as the difference between our
capital
E
and
F.
Some Hebrew letters are much more alike,
and the absence, or presence, of the distinguishing point would
make great difference in the meaning. God's law could not
be changed in one jot or tittle till heaven and earth should
pass away; and ''the earth abideth forever."
' 3. The idea is not that those who break the law shall
be
the least in the kingdom of heaven; but that the judgment of
the kingdom of heaven will call, or count, those characters who
break God's law and teach men to do so as the least of all,
"of no esteem in the kingdom of heaven." They will have
no part there.
•
4. Not
"by
them of old time," but as in the margin and
in the American Revised Version, "to them of old time."
So also in verse 27. God said it in His law. This law forbids
every sin against God; it includes every cherished thought and
impulse which would lead to killing. " Whosoever hateth his
brother is a murderer. " 1 John 3 :15.
18
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
5. "When one who professes to serve God, wrongs or injures a
brother, he misrepresents the character of God to that brother,
and the wrong must be confessed, he must acknowledge it to
be sin, in order to be in harmony with God. Our brother may
have done us a greater wrong than we have done him, but this
does not lessen our responsibility. If when we come before
God we remember that another has aught against us, we are
to leave our gift of prayer, of thanksgiving, of free-will of-
fering, and go to the brother with whom we are at variance,
and in humility confess our own sin, and ask to be forgiven."
`Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing,"
L
pages 89, 90.
_err God does not wish His children to mutilate themselves.
That brings Him no glory; but He does mean to say that if we
have anything about ,us as dear as the right hand or the right
eye, which is grieving His Spirit and keeping us back from the
kingdom of God, we must let it go, cut it off, cast it from
us. j And
y
to carry it further; if the church of Christ have
"in
-
embers ever so great, and they are causing her to stumble,
and they can not be won to the truth, the church, should cast
them out, rather than let the whole body be corrupted.
7. "Our Saviour did not, however, forbid the use of the
judicial oath, in which God is solemnly called to witness that
what is said is the truth, and nothing but the truth. Jesus
•
Himself, at His trial before the Sanhedrin, did not refuse to
testify under oath. . . .
If there is any one who can
consistently testify under oath, it is the Christian."—"Thoughts
from the Mount of Blessing," page 100.
8. "But let your speech be Yea, yea; Nay, nay; and what-
soever is more than these is of the evil one." A.R.V. The con-
text shows the admonition to be against unnecessary oaths. There
are those who are so anxious to make their words emphatic that
they use all kinds of adjurations.
LESSON VI.— The Sermon on the Mount (Continued);
Giving of Alms; Prayer.
AUGUST 7, 1909.
LESSON SCRIPTURE:
Matt.
6:1-18.
RELATED SCRIPTURE: Luke 11:1-13.
LESSON HELPS: "Desire of Ages," chapter 31, "Mount of
Blessing,"
pages
122-198.
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
19
Questions.
GIVING OF ALMS.
1.
What should not be our purpose in giving alms?
Why ? Matt. 6 : 1.
2.
What policy in giving of alms is forbidden ?
What is the only reward of such giving? Verse 2.
3.
How should alms be given ? What will be the
reward of such giving? Verses 3, 4.
PRAYER.
4.
What is said concerning the prayer of hypocrites?
What do such prayers bring ? Verse 5. See Luke 18: 11:
5.
What admonition is given concerning secret
prayer ? What reward is promised ? Verse 6. Note 1.
6.
What should we avoid in praying? Why? Verses
7, 8. Note 2.
THE LORD
'S
PRAYER.
7.
What comprehensive, model prayer has our Lord
given us? Verses 9-13.
8.
How is the tender relationship of God to His
people expressed ? Verse 9.
9.
What are we bidden to pray concerning His king-
dom and His will ? Verse 10.
10.
For what are we to ask daily? Verse 11.
11.
To what extent are we to ask forgiveness for our
sins ? Verse 12. Note 3.
12.
What is promised to the, merciful and forgiving?
Verse 14.
13.
What is said of those who, are not forgiving?
Verse 15.
20
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
14.
When we fast, what course should we avoid ?
Verse 16.
15.
What is said to those who fast? Whose approval
should we seek? .What is said concerning the reward?
Verses 17, 18. Note 4.
Notes.
1.
"In the secret place of prayer, where no eye but God's
can see, no ear but His can hear, we may pour out our most hid-
den desires and longings to the Father of infinite pity; and in
the hush and silence of the soul, that voice which never fails to
answer -the cry of human need, will speak to our hearts."—
"Mount
of Blessing," page 128.
2.
Study well the instruction of our Saviour, and the prayers
recorded in the scripture. This passage does not forbid public
prayer; for our Lord prayed in public, as did His servants. Pub-
lic prayers should on all ordinary occasions be short. Let the
long prayers be in secret. Come to God with humility, with a
sense of utter unworthiness, and of His holiness, and mercy.
Thank Him for His goodness. Praise Him for His love and
mercy. Ask in simple faith as we need, but always according
to His will. Do not often repeat the name or titles of Deity,
nor speak to the great God as you would to your human neighbor.
Holy reverence becomes the Christian; and this is fitting to the
- most implicit faith.
3.
There is a story of a knight in olden time who went to
an aged pastor to ask his blessing before he went to avenge him-
self on his enemy. The pastor said, "Son, on one condition
I bestow my blessing; kneel and pray with all thy heart our
Lord's Prayer after me." The knight (lid so until he came to
the petition for forgiveness, and then paused. The good man
bade him continue. The knight said he could not.
Then,"
said the aged man, "I can not bestow my blessing." Again and
again the old man repeated the prayer, and the knight followed
him until he came to that petition. Finally, the words broke his
heart, and he followed the prayer clear- through. "Now, my
son," said his counselor, "I will bless thee on thy mission."
"I have none," replied the knight; "I have no enemy to avenge."
4.
" Anoint thine head, and wash thy face,— these were for-
bidden in the Jewish canon on days of fasting and humiliation;
and hypocrites availed themselves of this ordinance that they
might appear to fast. Our Lord, therefore, cautions us against
this; as if He had said,
Affect
nothing, dress in any ordinary
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
21
manner, and let the whole of thy deportment prove that thou
desirest to recommend thy soul to God, and not thy face to men."
— Clarke.
LESSON VII.— The Sermon on the Mount (Contin-
ued); the Father's Care; Judging.
•
AUGUST 14, 1909.
LESSON SCRIPTURE: Matt.
6:19 to 7:6.
RELATED SCRIPTURES: Luke 11:34-36; 16:13; 6:37-42; Rom.
2:1-3; 14:1-13; James 2:12, 13.
LESSON HELPS: "Mount of Blessing," pages 169-209; "De-
sire of Ages,"
-
chaRter 31.
Questions.
1.
Where should our treasures not be deposited?
What becomes of treasures- laid up on this earth?
Matt. 6: 19.
2.
Where should we lay up treasure? Verse 20.
3.
What great principle is involved in the placing
of our treasures? ' Verse 21.
4.
How does Jesus further show the importance of
seeking God with singleness of purpose and heart?
Verses 22, 23. Note 1.
5.
What great truth does lie declare regarding our
service? Verse 24.
6.
What should we regard as secondary to the true
service of God? Verse 25. Note 2.
THE FATHER'S CARE.
7.
By what illustrations does Jesus show God's care
for His children? Verses 26-30.
8.
What instruction is given in reference to being
anxious concerning
temporal things? Why is this net
necessary ? Verses 31, 32,
22
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
9.
What should we first seek? What cheering prom-
ise is made to those who do this? Verse 33.
10.
What did Jesus say in reference to worrying
about things in the future? Why should we not do. this?
Verse 34.
JUDGING.
11.
How does Jesus admonish us in reference to
judging others? Matt. 7: 1.
12.
By what principle will God judge us? Verse 2.
13.
Where should the work of judging begin? What
comparison is made ? Verse 3.
14.
What should we do before beginning the work of
reforming others? Verses 4, 5. Note 3.
15.
What counsel should we follow respecting .those
who will not hear God's truth? Why ? Verse 6.
Notes.
1.
The direction of the eye shows . the purpose of the man
as does the laying up of treasures the affections of the heart.
He who has a single purpose to do God's will, who steadfastly
looks to God, will be guided and filled with the light of God.
He whose pUrpose is turned upon the low, dark ambition of self-
ishness, worldliness and sin will become a body of darkness.
And if he who has known the light, turns to the darkness, how
great is that darkness.
2.
The injunction is not an excuse of laziness, shiftlessness,
thoughtlessness. "Take no anxious thought," is the better ex-
pression. God demands prudence, industry, care in His service,
but having done our duty in His fear and by His grace, do not
worry. Leave results to Him.
3.
Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith.
"What paineth thee
In others in thyself may be;
All dust is frail, all flesh is weak,
Be thou the true man thou dost seek."
We may join Christ 's condemnation of sin; but with Him
we should love the sinner, and endeavor to save him from sin.
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
23
Never is it for us to count a soul irretrievably lost; that Christ
can save him has been demonstrated in that He has saved us.
LESSON VIII.— The Sermon on the Mount (Con-
cluded) ; God's Willingness to Help; Test of
Discipleship.
AUGUST 21, 1909.
LESSON SCRIPTURE:
Matt. 7:7-29.
RELATED SCRIPTURES:
Luke 6:31; 11: 9-13;-6:43-49.
LESSON HELPS:
"Desire of Ages," chapter 31.
'Questions.
1.
What encouragement does the Lord give us to
come to Him with our requests ? Matt. 7 : 7, 8. Note 1.
2.
By what appeal to human experience does He
. strengthen the certainty of His promise ? Verses 9, 10.
3.
By what illustration does the Saviour show that
the prayer of faith will surely be answered? Verse 11.
Note 2.
4.
In what rule does Jesus sum up our duty to our
fellow men ? Verse 12. Note 3.
5.
How many gateways are before us ? Which gate
are we exhorted to seek to enter? What is said of the
broad way ? Verse 13.
6.
What is characteristic of the true way ? Where
does it lead ? How many comparatively find it ? Verse
14. Note 4.
TEST OF DISCIPLESHIP.
7.
Of whom should we beware ? Verse 15.
8.
By what is the character of a tree known ? Verses
17, 18.
24
SABBATI-I-SCHOOL T.SSON QUARTERLY
9.
What becomes of a tree bearing corrupt fruit?
Verse 19.
10.
By what then should we judge the false proph-
ets ? Verses 16-20.
11.
What will be God's test of character — profession
or service? Verse 21. See Luke 6: 46.
12.
What will many deceived ones say in the last
great day? Verse 22.
13.
What will be the Lord 's reply to all such ? Verse
23. Note 5.
RIGHT BUILDING.
14.
To whom does Jesus liken the obedient hearer?
Verses 24, 25.
15.
To whom does He liken the disobedient hearer ?
Verses 26, 27.
16.
How did the people regard His teaching? Why?
Verses 28, 29. Note 6.
Notes.
1.
"Ask," "seek," "knock." Be in earnest. Many pause
on the very threshold of blessing and deliverance.
2.
Luke, instead of saying that the Lord will give us good
things, says He will give His Holy Spirit, which brings all other
blessings in its train. The Lord is more willing to give that ful-
ness of all blessings than is an earthly parent to give the needed
food to a hungry child. But we must yield all to receive the
blessing. Then the love of God will be shed abroad in our hearts.
Rom. 5:5.
3.
The thought is not what we would like to do to others,
but what we would have others do to us if our circumstances and
eonditions were reversed. "Put yourself in his place," is the
motto. There would never be religious persecution, nor harsh,
eruel judgment if men would follow this rule. In it is summed
up all the teaching of God regarding our duty to our fellow
men.
- 4. "Strait" is used in the sense of narrow in.both verses. The
gate does not lot the pilgrim in laden with selfishness, worldli-
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
25
ness, riches, sin. All these must be left without. As long as
we cling to them we have not entered the narrow gate, whatever
we may profess to the contrary.
5.
"I never knew you." Awful words will they be in the
final judgment. Jesus Christ is not the minister of sin. He
came to save
front
sin, not in sin. He died to "redeem us from
all iniquity-51awlessness, law-breaking; and purify unto Him-
self a pecuhar people, zealous of good works." Titus 2:14:
It can not be too strongly emphasized that faith in Christ leads
to sin-cleansing, clean living, and righteous doing.
6.
"Having authority." The scribes built their teachings
on the traditions of men. Jesus came with a mission, a message,
to save men; and the words He spoke were spirit and.life. As
the Father sent Him, so He has sent others.' If we are His
heralds, we have His message, and in that message is authority
and power. He would not av
e
His servants frightened from
the positiveness of the message by the cry of "dogmatic," or
the insolence of tradition, or the sneer of "learned" philo-
sophical critics. "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of
season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doc-
trine."
LESSON IX.— The Centurion's Servant; the Widow's
Son; John in Prison; Anointing of Jesus.
AUGUST 28, 1909.
LESSON SCRIPTURE:
Luke 7.
RELATED SCRIPTURES:
Matt.
8:543; 11:2-19.
LESSON HELPS
:
"Desire of Ages," chapters 32, 22, 62.
PLACES: Capernaum; Nain, a town about twenty-two miles
southwest of Capernaum.
PERSONS: Jesus and His disciples; the centurion, a Roman
captain having command over a hundred men; the Jews whom
he sent; the widow of Nain and her son; John and his disciples;
Simon the Pharisee, and the forgiven woman.
Questions.
THE CENTURION'S SERVANT.
1. Where did Jesus go after His Sermon on the
Mount? Luke 7 : 1.
26
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
2.
Whose messengers did He there meet ? What plea
did they make? What reasons did they give why Jesus
should heed their request? Verses 2-5.
3.
How did Jesus respond to this call? Whom did
He meet on the way? Verse 6.
4.
What message did they bring from the centurion?
Verses 6-8.
5.
What did Jesus say concerning this message?
What was the result of the centurion's faith? Verses
9, 10. Note 1.
THE WIDOW
'S
SON.
6.
Where did Jesus next go? What did He meet
Verses 11, 12.
7.
How did this scene affect Jesus? What did He
say to the mother? What did He do? What was the
result ? Verses 13-15.
8.
What was the effect of this miracle upon the peo-
ple ? Verses 16, 17.
JOHN IN PRISON.
9.
What messengers next met Jesus? What was
their mission Verses 18-20.
10.
How did Jesus answer John's questions? Verses
21-23. Note 2.
11.
What searching questions did Jesus ask the people
concerning John ? Verses 24-26. Note 3.
12.
What testimony did He bear to the divine origin
of John's mission? Verses 27, 28.
13.
What two classes did the preaching of John de-
velop'? Verses 29, 30. Note 4.
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
27
14.
What did Jesus say of that generation? Verses
31-35. Note 5.
ANOINTING OF JESUS.
15.
What occurred as Jesus was sitting in the house
of a Pharisee? Verses 37, 38.
16.
What questions and doubts came into the heart
of the Pharisee? Verse 39.
17.
What conversation occurred between Jesus and
Simon ? Verses 40-43.
18.
What comparison did Jesus draw between Simon's
conduct and that of the woman ? Verses 44-47.
.19. What comforting words did He speak to the
woman ? Verse 48.
20. As the doubters began to whisper among them-
selves, what further assurance did
give her? Verses
49, 50. Note 6.
Notes.
1.
The disciples of Jesus truly believed on Him, but their
faith, bad not gone beyond' His personal presence, beyond the aid
of the natural senses. The centurion comprehended to some ex-
tent the great and perfect government of God. Even as in
the Roman system, he, the centurion, could send soldiers to exe-
cute his commands, so Jesus had control of power and agents
far beyond ordinary men."Jesus could say, "Go," and His
servant would go. The 'Roman recognized the great unseen
working of God. And Jesus "sent His word and healed" the
child, as Matthew intimates. We may not see the physical form
of Jesus, but He is just as able to cleanse and help and heal
to-day as
-
He then was when visible.
2.
Jesus showed before John's messengers what He bad pre-
viously declared. John 5:36. God's word, John's testimony,
and the work of our Lord all agreed, and constituted the strong-
est kind of evidence. Note the tender appeal in the assurance
of verse 23, sent to the prophet in prison.
"
3. John was a type of the last-day messengers of God. Those
who know God's message to-day will not be reeds shaken in the
28
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
wind, "carried about with every wind of doctrine." They will
not be concerned about wearing soft raiment, nor will they live
luxuriously. They will be content to be voices of God, crying
in the wilderness of sin. John 1:23.
4.
John's message, as every other great message of God, de-
veloped two classes, the believers and the unbelievers. The be-
lievers were obedient and were baptized. The unbelievers were
God's enemies and their own. The believers, in the great judg-
ment-day, will reveal by their presenee in the kingdom of God
that John's message was sufficient to save, and God was justi-
fied in its giving. So will it be with God's last message.
5.
What a picture of the present generation is that which
Jesus draws of that generation. How uncertain is religious be-
lief! How men criticize every good! But there will be some
who will fear and serve the Lord. These are the truly wise.
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom."
6.
Let us not dwell on the physical details of the parable.
Let us not discuss the question as to whether the woman was
Mary, the sister of Lazarus,
and the occurrence the setae as that
recorded in John 12:1-8. There are arguments on both sides;
let that phase of the matter stand as it is. Note the tender
mercy of God in His message to the woman and to us also.
LESSON X.— Second Visit to Galilee; Healing of the
Blind and Dumb Demoniac; Seeking a Sign;
e
True Kinship..
SEPTEMBER 4, 1909.
LESSON SCRIPTURES
: Luke 8:1-3; Matt: 12:22-50.
RELATED SCRIPTURES: Mark 3:30-35; Luke 11:14-36; 8:19-21.
LESSON HELPS : "Desire of Ages," chapter 33.
PLACES : In Galilee.
PERSONS: Jesus and His disciples; Mary Magdalene; Joanna,
the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward; Susanna, and others; the
demoniac; the Pharisees, and the people.
Questions.
1. Where did Jesus go soon after the events re-
corded in the last lesson ? What did He do ? Who
ministered unto Him? Luke 8 : 1-3.
SARBATH-SCIEWOL LESSON QUARTERLY
29
HEALING THE DEMONIAC.
2.
What noted miracle was wrought How did it
affect the people ? Matt 12 : 22, 23.
3.
What did the Pharisees say ? Verse 24.
4.
How did Jesus answer their very thoughts ? Verses
25-29. Note 1.
5.
How did He press home His lesson? Verse 30.
6.
What did He say concerning sins which could not
be forgiven ? Verses 31, 32. Note 2.
7.
What revealed the inner life ? By what is a
tree known ? What do our words reveal? Verses 33-35.
8.
Of what must we give account in the Day of
Judgment? Verses 36, 37. Note 3.
SEEKING A SIGN.
9.
For what did certain of the scribes and Phari-
sees ask Jesus? What was His reply? Verses 38, 39.
10.
By the application of what historical facts did He
show their unbelief ? Verses 40-42. Note 4.
11.
By what illustration did He show them their
danger? Verses 43-45. Note 5.
TRUE KINSHIP.
12.
While Jesus was talking who came to see Him ?
Verse 46.
13.
As He continued talking what did one say ?
Verse 47.
14.
What question did He ask? Verse 48.
15.
What answer did He give to the question? Who
truly come into the closest relationship to Him?
Verses 49, 50 ; Heb. 2 : 11. Note 6.
30
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
Notes.
1.
How clear, how simple, how mighty was His argument!
It appealed to common sense, and to the practise of their own
disciples. Admitting that He must cast out demons by the Spirit
of God, as every consideration proved, then the kingdom of
God had come nigh to them. Why would they not enter in?
He was demonstrating to them that He was stronger than Satan.
He had entered Satan's own domain, and had released his cap-
tives. The Jews were taking their stand against Christ, and
at the same time they were taking their stand with Satan. The
term "devils" in the plural ought always to be "demons."
There is but one devil; namely, Satan, the prince of the demons,
or evil angels.
2.
The unforgivable sins are the unrepented sins. The Holy
Spirit is the great operative agency in God's work, in creation
(Gen. 1:2; Job 26:13) and in regeneration (John 3:3-5). By
the Spirit men are convicted of sin. John 16:8-11. If men, with
sin-benumbed faculties, ascribe the work of the Spirit of God to
Satan, God has no other agency by which to soften their hearts.
When the heart comes to that condition where the beneficent
operations of the infinite power of the Spirit are counted unholy,
the heart becomes hardened and unimpressible, and its sins un-
repentable. So the Jews came to that awful place where they
could say that Jesus, who was doing only good, had an unclean
spirit. Mark 3:30.
"The most common manifestation of the sin against the
Holy Ghost is in persistently slighting Heaven's invitation to
repent. Every step in the rejection of Christ is a step toward
the rejection of salvation, and toward the sin against the Holy
Ghost. In rejecting Christ the Jewish people committed the un-
pardonable sin; and by refusing the invitation of mercy we may
commit the same
error."—"Desire of Ages," page 324.
3.
0, the idle words; the cheap, trashy, foolish words; the
silly, senseless words; the vapid, empty words; the low, base
words; away with them all. Let Jesus Christ come into the heart
and fill it. Then out of the abundance of the heart let the
mouth speak. Mark well the great and solemn truth expressed
in these verses that the decision of eternity turns on our words.
4.
Professed scientists and higher critics regard as untrue the
account of Jonah and the whale. But the Saviour, in replying
to the cavils of unbelievers in His day, endorsed this story. He
said that "Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's
belly." No one can discredit the divine narrative given in the
book of Jonah without rejecting the words of Christ.
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
31
5.
God may have accepted us as His people; He may have
cast out the unclean spirit. We can not pause then. If we cher-
ish self, if we- consult selfish ease, pleasure, profit, if we refuse
to let reign the great salve principles of God's life, the spirit
which once sapped our vitality will return to the empty, negative
heart, and will bring a brood of even more wicked ones to enter
and dwell there. It was the privilege of the Jews to accept of
Jesus and let Him fill with life the empty house. They would
not admit Him,, but they admitted the demons of destruction.
"Sinners, when awakened, if they grieve away the Spirit of
God, become worse than before. They are never as they were
before. Their hearts are harder, their consciences are more
seared, they have a more bitter hatred of religious men, and
they plunge deeper and deeper into sin. Seven devils often dwell
where one did, and God gives the man over to blindness of
mind and hardness of heart. This shows also the great guilt and
danger of grieving the Holy Ghost."—Barnes.
6.
"Christ loves the heavenly beings that surround His throne;
but what shall account for the great love wherewith He has loved
us? We can not understand it, but we can know it is true in
our own experience. And if we do hold the relation of kin-
ship to Him, with what tenderness should we regard those who
are brethren and sisters of our Lord. Should we not be quick to
recognize the claims of our divine relationship? Adopted into the
family of God, should we not honor our Father and our kindred?"
—"Desire of Ages,". page 327.
LESSON XI.— The Parable of the Sower.
SEPTEMBER 11, 1909.
LESSON SCRIPTURE:
Matt. 13:1-23.
RELATED SCRIPTURES
:
Mark 4 :1-29; Luke 8:4-15.
LESSON HELPS': "Christ's Object Lessons," pages 33-61.
PLACE: By the Sea of Galilee.
Questions.
1.
Where did Jesus go from the house mentioned in
our last lesson ? Matt. 13 : 1.
2.
Who gathered to hear Him? What was necessary
in
order to speak to the people? Verse 2.
32
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
3.
What parable among the many spoken is the first
recorded? Verse 3.
4.
Where did some of the seed sown fall? What be-
came of it ? Verse 4.
5.
On what soil did other seed fall? With what re-
sult ? Verses 5, 6.
6.
Where did other seed fall? What did the thorns
do? Verse 7.
7.
Where 'did still other seed fall? What was the
fruitage ? Verse 8.
8.
With what words did He call attention to the im-
portant lesson ? Verse 9.
9.
What question did His disciples ask? What was
His reply ? Verses 10-13. Note 1.
10.
What prophecy was fulfilled in many unto whom
Jesus was speaking? Verses 14, 15.
11.
What good things came to those who were anxious
to see and hear ? Verses 16, 17.
12.
What was represented by the seed which fell by
the wayside ? Verses 18, 19.
13.
What class is represented by the seed on stony
ground? Verses 20, 21. Note 2.
14.
Who is represented by the seed which fell among
the thorns? Verse 22. See also Mark 4: 18, 19; Luke
8: 14.
15.
In what class does the seed produce fruit? Verse
23. Note 3.
Notes.
/
1. Let us not blame the Master for the .deaf ears and the
blind eyes. We blind them ourselves by turning from God's
voice till, becoming deaf to its peculiar loveliness, we can not die-
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
33
iinguish it. So, with the light and pleadings of the Spirit. Had
He spoken to them in plain language, they would not have be-
lieved, and would probably have sought His life. He sought to
arrest their attention by speaking to them in parables, and so
lead them to seek the truth, and yet leave them without excuse.
It is to the eager eye, the open ear, the responsive heart, that
,God reveals His truths.
2.
The parable is a familiar one, known to dwellers in most
countries. There is the hard-beaten, wayside path, the stony
ground, the• thorns by the field-side, and the well-prepared soil.
The seed, as told in another parable, represents the word of
God. Our lesson is not found in the seed, nor in the sowing, but
in the soil of the heart. If we wish it to become a hardened
pathway on which all things shall travel and make no impres-
sion, we may. Our minds may become as a worn and ,barren
highway on which travels everything, making no impression, and
forming a place for the feeding-ground of demons. We may let
the soil remain filled with unproductive rock, or we can "gather
out the stones," and "break up the fallow ground." The
third class rouses our sympathy. They do receive the word; they
have good soil, but they allow pleasure, care, worry, anxiety, and
other things to choke the word, and they bring no fruit to per-
fection.
3.
" 'Into good ground,' those whose hearts are prepared by
grace to receive it honestly, and to give it opportunity to grow.
In a rich and mellow soil — in a heart that submits itself to the
free influence of truth, unchecked by cares and anxieties; under
the showers and summer suns of divine grace; with the heart
spread open, like a broad, luxuriant field, to the rays of the
morning and to evening dews, the Gospel takes deep root and
grows; it has full room, and then and there only shows what
it is. "—
Barnes.
LESSON XII.— Parables: The Tares; the Mustard
Seed; the Leaven; the Hidden Treasure; the
Pearl; the Fish; the Householder.
SEPTEMBER
18, 1909.
LESSON SCRIPTURE : Matt. 13:24-53.
RELATED SCRIPTURE: Mark 4:30-34.
LESSON HELPS: " Christ 's Object Lessons," pages 70-79;
95-134.
34
SABBATH-SCHOOL
LESSON QUARTERLY
Questions.
THE TARES.
1.
What was the second parable Jesus put forth ?
Matt. 13 : 24-26.
2.
Relate the conversation .that occurred between the
householder and his servants. Verses 27-29.
3.
When did the householder say the wheat and tares
would be separated? Verse 30.
4.
When Jesus had sent the multitude away, what
question did the disciples ask ? Verse 36.
5r Whom did the sower represent? Verse 37.
6.
What was represented by the field? By the good
seed ? By the tares ? By the enemy who sowed them ?
By the harvest? By the reapers? Verses 38, 39.
7.
What separation and disposition will be made of
the two classes ? Verses 40-43.
THE MUSTARD SEED.
8.
To what other thing did Jesus liken the kingdom
of God? Verses 31, 32.
THE LEAVEN.
9.
To what was the kingdom again likened ? Verse
33.
10.
What scripture was Jesus fulfilling in teaching
in parables ? Verses 34, 35. ,
THE HIDDEN TREASURE AND PEARL.
11.
By what parables did Jesus show the exceeding
value of God's grace and salvation and the importance
of seeking for it ? Verses 44-46.
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
35
THE FISH.
12.
By what parable did He emphatically show that
the world would never be converted? Verses
47-50.
13.
What question did Jesus then ask His disciples?
What did they reply ? Verse
51.
THE HOUSEHOLDER.
14.
How did He emphasize the importance of study-
ing the word and of having a living experience? Verse
52.
Note.
We present no extended notes to this lesson. In ''Christ's
Object Lessons" will be found splendid developments of the
passages of scripture. These lessons are worthy of double em-
phasis: 1. Jesus taught that evil and good would continue to the
end; 2. that it was not His servants' duty to execute judgment
upon sinners; this He had reserved to Himself at the end of
the world; 3. that the business of the Christian is to sow the
seed of truth; to spread the leaven and life of the kingdom; to
lay all upon the altar that we may win the great prize; to teach
the truth of God applicable to the times.
LESSON XIII.— Stilling the Tempest; the Demoniac
of Gadara.
SEPTEMBER 25, 1909.
LESSON SCRIPTURE:
Luke 8:22-39.
RELATED SCRIPTURES: Matt. 8:23 to 9:1; Mark 4:35 to 5:20.
LESSON HELPS: "Desire of Ages," chapter 35.
PLACES: The Sea of Galilee; Gadara, on the east side of
the sea.
Questions.
STILLING THE TEMPEST.
1. What did Jesus do and say to His disciples on a
certain day? Luke 8 :
22.
36
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
2.
As they sailed what did• the Master do ? What
occurred on the lake ? How imminent was the danger ?
Verse 23.
3.
What appeal did the disciples make? What did
Jesus do ? What was the result ? Verse 24. Note 1.
4.
How did He rebuke them for their unbelief ?
What did they say among themselves? Verse 25.
THE DEMONIAC OF GADARA.
5.
As they reached the other shore, by whom were
they met ? Verses 26, 27. Note 2.
6.
What did the demoniac do? What did he say?
Verse 28. Note 3.
7.
What had preceded the demoniac's cry ? How
fully was the man possessed of the demons ? Verse 29.
8.
What question did Jesus ask ? What reply did
He receive ? Verse 30.
9.
What request did the demons make ? Verse 31.
10.
Where were the demons permitted to go ? What
was the result? Verses 32, 33. Note 4.
11.
What did the keepers of the swine do? Verse 34.
12.
As the people heard of the miracle, and came
where Jesus was, what did they see.? How did the sight
affect them ? What did those who witnessed the miracle
do? Verses 35, 36.
13.
What did the Gadarenes ask Christ to do ? Why ?
What response did Jesus make to their request? Verse
37.
14.
What did the healed man desire to do ? Verse 38.
15.
What did Jesus tell him to do ? What was the
result ? Verse 39. Note 5.
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
37
Notes.
1.
The Master was. weary, and in calm trust He slept. We
may well believe that "the prince of the power of the air" saw •
in the circumstances a good opportunity to destroy Him, hence
the storm which constantly increased in power. The strong,
hardy fishermen were afraid, and doubtless uttered, as their own
efforts seemed futile and their fate certain, all three appeals re-
corded by the evangelists, indicating their- increasing fear and
intense desire for their Lord's direction at such a time. First
came, "Lord, save us, we perish." Then, as the storm increased,
"Master, Master, we perish!" Then as He slept on seemingly
unmindful, there is a tone of reproach in their cry, "Master,
carest Thou not that we perish?" They did not yet know that
"anywhere with Jesus" was safety; that,
"No water can swallow the ship where lies
The Master of ocean
and earth and
skies."
2.
"Gada,ra, now Umkeis, a fortified chief city of Decapolis,
of
considerable importance in the time of Christ, and having
many Greek inhabitants. It lay south of the river Huvomax,
seven miles southeast of the Sea of Galilee, upon a level sum-
mit of a steep, limestone hill. . . . The country of tke
Gadarenes extended to the Jordan and the Sea of Galilee."—
"Bible Dictionary," American Tract Society.
3.
Other evangelists mention two demoniacs. One was prob-
ably much worse and more fierce than the other. His first yield-
ing to Satan may have been in the path of pleasure. He came
at
last to know that service in that way was the greatest bondage
of the whole man. The man longed for freedom. He tried to
pray for deliverance; but the demons made him pray for the
departure of Jesus. The evil spirits ,used his tongue to plead
for themselves. But beyond this discordant voice, Jesus heard
the cry of the imprisoned soul, and set the captive free.
The word "deep" is from the same Greek word as "bottom-
less pit" in Rev. 20:1, meaning abyss, the place where Satan will
be cast with his angels. They seemed to know that their doom
was assured. The time had not come for the execution of that
judgment.
4.
"The demons were permitted to sweep a herd of swine
into the sea; and to the dwellers of Gadara the loss of these out-
weighed the blessings which Christ had bestowed, and the divine
Healer was entreated to depart. This was the result which Satan
designed to secure. By casting the blame of their loss upon
Jesus, he aroused the selfish fears of the people, and prevented •
them from listening to His words. . . . But the purposes of
38
SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
Christ were not thwarted. He allowed the evil spirits to destroy
the herd of swine as a rebuke to those Jews who were raising
these unclean beasts for the sake of
gain."—"Great Contro-
versy" page 515.
5. Telling what great things the Lord has done ought to be
the mission of every redeemed soul. How quickly God's message
would go if every one professing His name would so respond!
And this man began his work near home. There is a lesson in
this for us.
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CHRISTIAN
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